DesignThinkers, Canada’s only conference for visual communicators, is a two-day event held annually in Toronto by the Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD). This year it was set in the St Lawrence Market neighbourhood. DesignThinkers 2016 delves into industry trends with visionaries from a range of communications-related disciplines including design, user experience, advertising, branding, consumer engagement, film, social media and entrepreneurship.

We had the pleasure of attending the second day of the conference, which opened with ‘The Future of Virtual is Physical’ by Jake Barton—an in-depth view behind the process of creating ground breaking interactive virtual experiences. The conference also featured ‘Design in Retrograde’ a short presentation that revolved around the harsh criticism of the new Quinnipiac University brand identity created by Eddie Opara. The day also included inspirational talks by: Rob Duncan from Mucho, entitled ‘The 10 things you’re not supposed to talk about at a design lecture’; Matt Willey’s ‘From Tiny Start-ups to Historic Institutions’; ‘Wearing Multiple Hats’ by Lotta Nieminen; and ‘Self Indulgent Design’ by David Carson.

The highlight presentation for us was Anton and Irene, a Brooklyn based design duo who outlined their emotional, hands on trials and tribulations of starting a design studio. It was a heart felt, funny and brilliant adventure—not to mention great work.